Karamoko Dembele is in line for an international debut with Ivory Coast this summer, according to Football Scotland.
The report says that the Celtic starlet met up with Ivory Coast boss Patrice Beaumelle this week after early talks had previously been staged.
Football Scotland claim that Baumelle is planning to give Dembele his senior debut at international level this summer in their next round of fixtures.
It’s also been reported that Siriki Dembele – Karamoko’s brother – was also part of the talks. Siriki, like Karamoko, is also eligible to play for Scotland.
Karamoko is able to play for the Ivory Coast through his parents with both of them being from there. In the past, the youngster has represented both Scotland and England at international level.
But the Ivory Coast look set to give him his first major opportunity at senior level – so long as he accepts the opportunity.
Karamoko Dembele has big questions over both club and international future to answer
It’s certainly an uncertain period for the burgeoning young talent. Both at club and international level, he has some colossal decisions to make.
Dembele has represented both Scotland and England at youth level as previously mentioned. However, neither appear ready to give him a senior call just yet. You can understand that too given he’s still not playing regularly at Celtic Park.
Granted, injury has led to that being the case. Had he not needed surgery on a pre-season injury that effectively killed off his 2021/22 campaign, who knows where Dembele would be right now. He could easily have committed to a country by now.
Of course, the more pertinent issue for Celtic supporters is that of his contract at Parkhead. He’s still available to speak with other clubs as things stand. We’re closing in on his expiry date and yet there doesn’t appear to be much in the way of progress over a new deal.
We can take some confidence in the fact that Ange Postecoglou now has him around his Celtic first-team. After all, the manager has made it abundantly clear that he won’t give opportunities to players who aren’t committed to the club.
Karamoko doesn’t appear to be one of those. But the longer he goes without tying himself down, the more questions that will be asked.
In other news, Greek club left in awe of Celtic’s Giorgos Giakoumakis after his fantastic gesture
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